Chapter 38: Ying Hongyan, A Half-Step Away from the Unspeakable!

Chapter 38: Ying Hongyan, One Step Away from the Unspeakable!

If there is much to say, speak at length; if there is little, be brief. In the blink of an eye, the time reached 11:59 PM. During this period, Duan Ming had delivered another dinner order to the cafeteria, gaining 1 point of Ghost Energy, bringing his total to a staggering 998—a simple, brute-force achievement for an Evil-class ghost.

The bully siblings were currently in an empty ward, having already prepared themselves.

Han Lingling asked, "You said a big shot would come to help? Where are they?"

Duan Ming gave a mysterious smile. "Don't be impatient. You'll see in a moment, hehe. But first, I need to perform a test."

Just then, a chilly, spectral gloom suddenly enveloped them. "Night" had descended.

"It's time," Duan Ming said, his expression tightening with seriousness.

Han Lingling replied, "Fine, begin your performance."

"Um, Sister Lingling, could you go to the restroom for a second?"

"I don't need to go."

"Then there won't be a big shot helping us tonight."

Han Lingling gave him a strange look. "What are you doing? Being all mysterious." She shrugged. "Fine, I'll go wash my face." With that, she walked into the ward's private restroom.

The moment the door clicked shut, a shrill, mournful wail erupted outside.

Han Lingling: "???"

Qin Wei, who appeared out of nowhere: "??????"

"Duan Ming! How did you—?!"

"How did I what?!"

Duan Ming shouted, "Yes! You really do belong to me!"

Qin Wei: "???"

Hearing the sudden voice of a stranger outside, Han Lingling rushed out of the restroom instantly, frightening the bewildered Qin Wei until he collapsed to the floor.

"This... this... Little Brother Duan Ming, I haven't offended you, have I? Besides, in my current state, is there any need for a honey trap?" He looked toward Han Lingling with a mournful face. "Big Sister, I swear that the money before was truly given to me by Duan Ming of his own volition. I didn't force him at all!"

"Who are you calling Big Sister?" Han Lingling’s face turned icy.

Seeing his "Sister Lingling" clench her fists, Duan Ming hurriedly jumped between them to smooth things over. "Supervisor Qin, don't misunderstand. I'm not here to settle scores."

Qin Wei blinked blankly.

"Do you want to recover from your injuries?"

"What?"

Duan Ming smiled confidently. Since he could still wail, he was determined to make this enforcer his. As for the healing, if the problem was an lingering energy wreaking havoc in his body, wouldn't it be solved by summoning the culprit who caused it to clear that energy away? Inviting Ying Hongyan was his trump card for the night. Dealing with an Evil-class threat was child's play for a Calamity-class entity.

He turned to Han Lingling and smirked. "Sister Lingling, I’m afraid I have to trouble you to go back to the restroom."

This time, Han Lingling shook her head firmly. "I'm not going."

Duan Ming: "(_`)"

"Sister, I'm serious, you have to go."

"I’m just not going. I want to see exactly how you manage to call someone here."

Duan Ming’s face fell as he scratched his head in frustration. After a long silence, he sighed. "Fine, Sister Lingling, but you have to promise not to laugh."

"Why would I laugh? Hurry up, our time is limited."

"Oh."

After more awkward fidgeting, Duan Ming groaned, "I can't cry with you standing there."

"Cry? Why do you need to cry?"

"Anyway... I just have to cry."

"That’s simple." Han Lingling grinned, a look that sent shivers down Duan Ming’s spine. Then, he heard:

"Remember when you were seven? I asked you for twenty bucks, saying I'd buy you a limited-edition yo-yo. I lied to you; the yo-yo was from a street stall and only cost two bucks. I used the rest for a doll."

"!"

"When you were thirteen, that precious video disc you bought from a classmate—the one you hid in your ethics textbook—I snapped it and threw it away. You never even got to watch it, did you?"

"!!"

"When you were fifteen, you were getting close to Zhao Xiaonuo in your class and kept inviting her to your room to do homework. I..."

"What did you do back then?!"

"I told her you were gay."

"!!!"

"So that’s why Zhao Xiaonuo’s look changed! It was you all along! Damn it! Just thinking about it makes me so mad! Waaaaah!"

Duan Ming began to cry—heart-wrenchingly. But he soon realized something was wrong.

This time was vastly different from the past. Previously, using the "Grave-Wailing" technique—whether on an Evil-class or a Fierce-class ghost—required only 100 million Ghost Coins, and the consumption of his own Ghost Energy was negligible. But this time, as soon as the tears fell, he felt his internal Ghost Energy surging away frantically. Within just two breaths, more than half was gone.

A phantom began to materialize, shouting urgently, "Duan Ming, stop!"

But Duan Ming was in a state of loss of control, his head spinning, unable to stop the wailing on his own. Fortunately, Han Lingling was quick to react and slapped him across the face.

The slap, infused with "bloodline power," worked instantly. Duan Ming switched from crying to being dazed, and the frantic drain on his Ghost Energy ceased. He touched his left cheek; it stung.

"Did you just hit me?"

"No."

"Oh."

He then saw the faint, barely visible shadow of Ying Hongyan nearby, and his heart sank. "Sister, what happened to you? Why do you look like this?"

Ying Hongyan said, both worried and reproachful, "Duan Ming, you really are reckless. We are so far apart in power, and you still used a summoning-type ghost skill? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

Duan Ming was confused. "What do you mean?"

"You don't know?" Ying Hongyan explained after a two-second pause. "The Evil-class is a watershed for the Ghost Spirit realm. Once you reach it, the spirit's body undergoes a qualitative leap. For skills targeting those above the Evil-class—especially summoning skills like yours—the consumption increases exponentially. The greater the difference in rank, the more astronomical the cost becomes."

"So you were playing with your life just now, you know that? Thankfully, I sensed something was wrong and only sent a projection. Otherwise, you’d be dead and wouldn't even know why."

Duan Ming felt a lingering fear. He checked his internal state; his Ghost Energy was almost completely bottomed out. One cry had nearly drained him dry. But then, his heart skipped a beat. Did this mean he couldn't summon Ying Hongyan anymore?

Seeming to read his mind, Ying Hongyan chuckled. "Don't worry. I planted a seed in the amulet. Even if its primary protective effect is consumed, it won't shatter and disappear. You can still use it to summon me one more time."

Only one chance left? Duan Ming felt a bit dejected.

Ying Hongyan continued, "But be careful. Once your Ghost Energy reaches 50,000, you can attempt to summon low-level Evil-class spirits. That is the limit without harming yourself. Never push it."

"Then, Sister, how much Ghost Energy do I need to summon someone of your level, a Calamity-class?"

"Me? You don't need to think about that for now." She paused, then added, "Besides, I'm not a Calamity-class anymore. I'm a Despair-class, only one step away from the Unspeakable."

Duan Ming: "∑(o_o；)"

Han Lingling: "∑(o_o；)"

Qin Wei: "∑(o_o；)"

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